Celebrity Scoop: Hugh Dillon

More than ever, Hugh Dillon is aware of the possible dangers facing an elite police unit.

On CBS' Canadian-made Friday police drama "Flashpoint," his tightly wound hostage negotiation character -- Ed Lane -- recently survived a road-rage shooting, right on the heels of learning how complicated the politics of his job could get.

The police team was subjected to a psychological evaluation secretly commissioned by its chief (Enrico Colantoni). "It's somebody looking over your shoulder," Dillon reasons, "and it's added pressure for this team that already has to sacrifice so much with the work they do. It just stresses these guys out, on top of an already stressful job."

Kingston, Ontario, native Dillon calls married "Flashpoint" creators and executive producers Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern "the Energizer bunnies. They don't stop, so the stories get bigger and more interesting and more fun to follow. For us as actors, it's never boring. We look forward to going to work every day.

"It's all based on reality," adds Dillon, who also maintains a music career with his Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir rock band. He hears about "Flashpoint" often from actual police officers, including the specific two who inspired his character.

"They love it," Dillon reports. "To get those phone calls that say, 'You nailed it,' is exceptional. I got pulled over for speeding tickets once in L.A. and once in Toronto, and both times they said, 'Love "Flashpoint." Keep the speed down.' "

Dillon knows that isn't the case with all such series: "I was talking with one cop about another cop show, and he said, 'Yeah, I hate that show. But your show's great.' That's as real as it gets."